ENG-2019 — Page 17

Calendar of Events 2019

January

1

5

ԼՈ

8

00

12

14

20

21-25

22

25

The non-means-tested Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme is launched, granting eligible commuters a subsidy of 25 per cent of actual public transport expenses in excess of $400, subject to a cap of $300 per month.

Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop Emeritus and immediate predecessor of Bishop. Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, is appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong after the death of Bishop Yeung two days earlier at the age. of 73.

The Report of the Independent Review Committee on Hong Kong's Franchised Bus Service is released in response to a traffic accident on Tai Po Road in February last year that killed 19 people and injured 65 others. The government pledges to take proactive steps to enhance the operational safety of franchised buses.

Ms Vivian Kong Man-wai becomes the first Hong Kong fencer to claim a world cup title, in the women's epee at the International Fencing Federation's (FIE) World Cup series in Havana, Cuba.

At the ceremonial opening of the legal year, the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, speaks about the important facets of Hong Kong's legal system with a view to providing the necessary context to enable the public to properly appraise and comment on the work of the courts, in particular decisions on matters which greatly concern the community. He also emphasises that as contained in the Basic Law, Hong Kong's legal system is characterised by an independent judiciary where judges are independent from any outside interference in the discharge of their constitutional duties, and the essence of fairness and justice also lies in everyone's entitlement to equal treatment under the law.

The Xiqu Centre, the first major performance venue of the West Kowloon Cultural District, opens, followed by Freespace in June.

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attends the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She meets the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Mr Xavier Bettel; the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc; and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Mark Rutte, in Davos.

The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, presents a 103-strong Hong Kong delegation with the Regional Flag ahead of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games, to be held in March in the United Arab Emirates.

The US-based Heritage Foundation rates Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the 25th consecutive year.